Parliament adopts amendments to the CPC: prison sentence for violating the presumption of innocence removed from the law

Parliament approved amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code by a majority vote — 27 in favor and 15 against — after reconsidering the bill returned by the president. The most debated change was the removal of the provision on imprisonment under Article 23B, related to the violation of the presumption of innocence.

The work of the General Assembly was temporarily suspended to incorporate the proposed adjustments, after which the session resumed and the law was adopted article by article.

Opposition MP Asım Akansoy proposed removing the disputed article entirely, saying its wording posed a threat to freedom of expression and the work of the media. In his view, the provision in its current form could have led to criminal prosecution for publishing the names, photographs and news of suspects, which creates legal uncertainty. However, his proposal was rejected by a majority vote.

Later, the chair of the parliamentary committee, Yasemi Ozturk, proposed changes that would eliminate imprisonment. In the updated version of the law, the fines were retained: publishing information about suspects, defendants, witnesses or complainants is punishable by fines of up to twice the minimum wage, and up to four times that amount if disseminated through the media or the internet — up to four times.

During the discussions, Ozturk noted that the changes are aimed at balancing freedom of expression and the protection of the presumption of innocence, citing the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

The opposition, in turn, criticized the law. CTP deputies said it could restrict press freedom and requires additional safeguards, including regulation of the "right to be forgotten."

After emotional debates and verbal exchanges between lawmakers, the session was adjourned.